AI Readiness Audit for an R1 Research University
R1 research university, Midwest US
01 / Challenge
University leadership faced 30+ AI vendor proposals with no framework for evaluating FERPA risk, data residency implications, or ROI. The CISO had imposed a blanket moratorium on new AI tools, and faculty were using unsanctioned commercial LLMs to process student data — creating undisclosed FERPA exposure.
02 / Approach
QuettaMinds conducted a 6-week structured AI readiness audit covering data infrastructure maturity, FERPA risk surface, existing shadow AI usage, and vendor evaluation criteria. We developed a tiered AI governance framework and a 90-day roadmap for deploying FERPA-compliant AI tools to priority use cases.
03 / Outcome
The governance framework and vendor evaluation rubric were adopted by the IT Steering Committee within 60 days. The CISO lifted the blanket moratorium and replaced it with a structured review process. Three FERPA-compliant AI deployments are currently in production following the roadmap.
Representative case study illustrating common agentic-AI deployment patterns in Education; not a specific QuettaMinds client engagement.
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